- Raider Snowmobiles
Raider Snowmobiles were produced by Leisure Vehicles, Inc. from 1970-1975. Leisure Vehicles, Inc. was founded by Bob Bracey, who had assisted in developing the legendary
Ford GT40 a few years earlier.Raider snowmobiles are unique for their use of a rear mounted engine, twin track design, and cockpit seating, all of which were revolutionary ideas for the snowmobile industry in the 1970s.
Models
From 1970-1972, there were two models, the Bandit and the Roamer. Only a few hundred of these snowmobiles were manufactured.
For the 1972 model year, there were four levels of Raider snowmobiles that could be purchased, the 290, 340, 400, and 440. The 1972 Raider was significantly redesigned from the 1971 model year.
In 1973, the Raider snowmobile was drastically redesigned again. The snowmobile was given a more futuristic design, and the sales drastically increased as a result. There were two models available in 1973, the 34TT and the 44TT.
The 1974 Raider Snowmobiles experienced a few revisions from the 1973 model. The biggest changes were revised graphics on the snowmobile. The 1974 model year also marked the change of the Raider lineup into three distinct models, the Hawk, Eagle, and Double Eagle. The Double Eagle was larger and used more advanced suspension technology than the smaller Hawk and Eagle models.
The 1975 model year would mark the last time that a Raider snowmobile would be manufactured. Very few 1975 Raider snowmobiles were manufactured, and they included a revised Double Eagle that was now red, as opposed to yellow, and an Eagle that was now light blue. Leisure Vehicles had intended to create a two-person, side-by-side Raider designated as the Twin Eagle for 1975, but it was not manufactured.
1975 was a tumultuous year for Leisure Vehicles, due to a poor snow season, increasing emission restrictions, and the departure of Bob Bracey from the company. As a result, of these problems, the company halted production on the Raider.
External links
*" [http://www.amsnow.com/sno/default.aspx?c=a&id=1121 American Snowmobiler] " 2003 obituary of Robert (Bob) Bracey
*" [http://www.raidertwintracksnowmobiles.com/index.html Raider Twin Track Snowmobiles] " (collector's page)
*" [http://www.sledneckreview.com/ Sledneck Review] " (includes section on Raider Snowmobiles)
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